Region: Loire Valley (Vouvray), France
Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc
Body: Medium
Notes: White peach, bruised pear, yellow apple, lemon verbena, honeyed chamomile, and crushed chalk, with a vibrant, mouthwatering acidity, subtle honeyed texture, and a crisp, mineral-driven finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, goat cheese (Sainte-Maure de Touraine), roasted poultry, grilled sea bass, or pork rillettes
The Producer
Catherine and Pierre Breton are iconic pioneers of the French natural wine movement, based in Bourgueil in the heart of the Loire Valley. Farming organically since 1990 and certified biodynamic since 1999, the couple treats their vineyards as living, natural ecosystems. While world-renowned for their benchmark Cabernet Francs in Bourgueil and Chinon, Catherine leads "La Dilettante"—a range of ultra-pure, low-intervention white wines crafted from Chenin Blanc grown on the flinty limestone and tuffeau chalk soils of Vouvray. In the cellar, winemaking is strictly hands-off: spontaneous fermentations with native yeasts, minimal sulfur, no fining, and no heavy filtration.
The Wine
"La Dilettante" Vouvray Chenin is a brilliantly fresh, dry expression of 100% Chenin Blanc sourced from biodynamically farmed vineyards rooted in Vouvray's famous tuffeau chalk and clay soils. Hand-harvested and gently pressed, the juice ferments spontaneously with wild yeasts in stainless steel and neutral barrels to preserve its pure fruit and chiseled limestone character. The 2024 vintage delivers outstanding tension and charm; it masterfully pairs a fragrant nose of orchard fruit, spring flowers, and citrus with a driving, chalky minerality, mouthwatering natural acidity, and a clean, bone-dry finish.
Region: Loire Valley (Vouvray), France
Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc
Body: Medium
Notes: White peach, bruised pear, yellow apple, lemon verbena, honeyed chamomile, and crushed chalk, with a vibrant, mouthwatering acidity, subtle honeyed texture, and a crisp, mineral-driven finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, goat cheese (Sainte-Maure de Touraine), roasted poultry, grilled sea bass, or pork rillettes
The Producer
Catherine and Pierre Breton are iconic pioneers of the French natural wine movement, based in Bourgueil in the heart of the Loire Valley. Farming organically since 1990 and certified biodynamic since 1999, the couple treats their vineyards as living, natural ecosystems. While world-renowned for their benchmark Cabernet Francs in Bourgueil and Chinon, Catherine leads "La Dilettante"—a range of ultra-pure, low-intervention white wines crafted from Chenin Blanc grown on the flinty limestone and tuffeau chalk soils of Vouvray. In the cellar, winemaking is strictly hands-off: spontaneous fermentations with native yeasts, minimal sulfur, no fining, and no heavy filtration.
The Wine
"La Dilettante" Vouvray Chenin is a brilliantly fresh, dry expression of 100% Chenin Blanc sourced from biodynamically farmed vineyards rooted in Vouvray's famous tuffeau chalk and clay soils. Hand-harvested and gently pressed, the juice ferments spontaneously with wild yeasts in stainless steel and neutral barrels to preserve its pure fruit and chiseled limestone character. The 2024 vintage delivers outstanding tension and charm; it masterfully pairs a fragrant nose of orchard fruit, spring flowers, and citrus with a driving, chalky minerality, mouthwatering natural acidity, and a clean, bone-dry finish.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.